MARION E. STORLIE

Marion E. Storlie of Mora, died on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Villa Health Care Center in Mora.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am. on Wed. Nov. 4, 2009 at Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Dean Oelfke officiating.

Visitation will be held one hr. prior to the service at church on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Interment will be in Oakwood cemetery in Mora.

Marion Evelyn Storlie was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Emma (Johnson) Storlie; brothers Harold, James and Merle; and sister Ruth Storlie. She is survived by her sisters Alice (Vernon) Stromberg and Jean Storlie; and sister-in-law Phyllis (John) Fontilla. She was Aunt “Mimi” to many nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and two great-great nieces; and was loved by many cousins and friends.

She was born in Comfort Township, Kanabec County in 1924. She grew up on the family farm with her brothers and sisters. Still speaking Swedish when she started school in Mora, she graduated from Mora High School in 1943. She was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church and involved in Women’s Circle for many years.

She started her career with Northwestern Bell as a local phone operator, getting to know most everyone in the county as she manually connected telephone calls across the community. She held several other office positions as her job expanded with the company into US West and now Qwest. She retired in 1982 and has remained active in the company’s retiree organization, the “Telephone Pioneers”. During World War II she contributed to the war effort, working on aircraft at Holman Field in St. Paul.

Always giving back to the community, she is remembered fondly for her years spent in the food booth at the Kanabec County Fair, selling “poppies”, and marching in area parades as a member of the VFW. She was a long-time member of Rebecca’s Lodge, and the Five-County Senior Federation.

She enjoyed flower gardening, photography, cooking, sewing and was an active traveler, enjoying many trips across the country with the Kanabec Seniors. She loved all animals and especially her little dog “Corkie”. Marion could always be found in her favorite chair with a cross-word puzzle, busy reading, following her beloved Minnesota Twins, or watching her favorite TV show, “Wheel of Fortune”.

The holiday season was Marion’s favorite time of year, and she was always present at every birthday, wedding, anniversary and other family events, taking an active interest in the lives of her extended family. Gatherings at the lake cabin on Knife Lake were some of her favorite times.

Marion will always be remembered for her beautiful dark hair, warm smile and endless curiosity. She was the heart of the family and will be missed by all.